LocationsFrom a neglected space to a vibrant city street: How a new road improved life in Teslić
February 5, 2025
With the construction of a new road in the center of Teslić, what was once a neglected area has become a vital part of the city. Connecting Svetog Save and Hilandarska streets has improved traffic flow, and residents now enjoy pleasant walks to the City Market and other key locations. For shop employees, who previously struggled with limited access, doing business has become much easier.
Satisfied traders: Increased traffic, easier deliveries
Goran Petković, an employee at a nearby mini-market, says the new road has brought major changes:
Goran Petković
"Now we have a completed street, deliveries are easier, and more people are passing by. It feels like this is the only street in town—everyone is here, and we are very happy. Of course, it's much nicer now with asphalt instead of the old gravel and potholes. When there’s no mud, people are more likely to take a walk, stop by the store, buy something, and it benefits everyone."Goran Petković
His regular customer, Vinka Marković, has also noticed the difference:
"I used to stop by this shop every day on my way home—it was on my route—but it was terrible. There was mud and so many potholes. Now it’s beautiful, and it’s much easier to pass through, especially on my bike."Vinka Marković
Srđan Dolić, the owner of an auto parts store, highlights how the project has impacted his business:
"My work has become much easier because what was once a ‘dead-end street’ is now a busy road. There is much more traffic and people passing by. Access is easier, and with this reconstruction, a pedestrian zone has also opened up. People now come to this part of town that was once inaccessible, and that naturally brings more customers."Srđan Dolić
Srđan Dolić
Darko Mišić
Darko Mišić, a store owner near the City Market, emphasizes that the project was a complete success:
"This is a big deal for all of us here—a huge relief. Now we have access from both sides, and working is much easier. Before, we only had one entrance, which was especially problematic in the summer when the diaspora arrives. More people meant frequent congestion. Now, deliveries are easier, we have parking, clear access to stores, and everything we need for normal business operations."Darko Mišić
A project that changed Teslić
The new road was built within the Project for Improving Performance of Local Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PIPLS), financed by Sweden and co-financed and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from three cantons and 22 local governments. The project enabled the reconstruction of infrastructure, including sewage systems, street lighting, and the creation of pedestrian zones.
The head of the Teslić Department for Housing and Communal Affairs, Said Ajanović, explains that the construction of this road had been a long-term plan:
"This area used to be a ‘gray zone’—unresolved property issues, outdated infrastructure, part of the market with old shacks, and illegal parking. Practically, a disaster in the very center of the city. Through this project, we completed exterior improvements with lighting, full infrastructure upgrades, and underground sewage installation."
He adds that after the reconstruction, residents needed time to adjust to the new situation:
Said Ajanović
"When we finished the renovation, it took time for people to get used to the fact that this is now a fully organized space. At first, they kept trying to park everywhere, and the police had to regulate traffic daily."Said Ajanović
From a ‘gray zone’ to a favorite gathering place
The road reconstruction also created a large number of legal parking spaces, integrating the intervention into the city's broader development plans:
"Now, cars no longer block pedestrian access, making it easier for people with disabilities and parents with strollers. We’ve built garages, eliminated unregulated spaces, and put an end to chaotic parking that used to make this area inaccessible and unappealing. The mud is gone, all infrastructure issues have been resolved, and with the completion of the bridge, we now have a beautifully integrated space that fits perfectly into the city," concludes Said Ajanović.
The PIPLS project aims to improve access to essential public services through better management and increased investment in local infrastructure. This initiative demonstrates how well-planned interventions can transform a city and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
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